Meet Shi-Hyoung Jeon | Cinematographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shi-Hyoung Jeon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shi-Hyoung, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

There are 4 reasons why I like filmmaking and cinematography. First of all, no matter how great the master director is, their next film could fail.
Secondly, every story is different. Even with the same script, it could become a completely different movie depending on the people who make it.
Thirdly, we cannot do it alone.
Lastly, it is affected by technology and the times…

In other words, making films… is unpredictable, deliberated, and complicated. It needs someone like a chameleon. I find this is a fun job. I have no choice but to like this job.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I moved to LA in 2021 Summer for my Cinematography MFA program at AFI Conservatory. Before coming here, I did my Filmmaking BA degree at Korea National University of Arts, and after graduation, I worked as an AC in a feature film set for 4 years. I participated in 7 features, one of them was ‘PARASITE’. I practiced visual storytelling at my university by shooting many short films. At feature sets, I could experience how the actual film set works and how the cinematographer & director lead the set. I’m really glad that I had both experiences that improved my ability as a cinematographer. I think cinematographers need to do 3 jobs; artist, technician, and leader. I feel that I am growing up with balancing the ring of that triangle.

However, at the same time, I had a big eagerness to work more globally. I participated in a joint Korean & Japanese feature ‘The Asian Angel’ as an AC in 2020. During the production, every crew communicates in English and it was so fun to work and meet with a different culture. After that, I thought about studying abroad at AFI Conservatory in L.A. where I could meet more diversities. It’s because I am thinking about myself as a storyteller before a cinematographer, and believe that experiencing various cultures and diverse people is so important to a storyteller. My mentors; Hyung-koo Kim(DP of Memories Murder) & Hyeon-cheol Park(DP of TAKE OFF) are also alumni of AFI and they recommended and supported me to go there.

Actually, many of my co-workers and friends expressed concern about going to LA. Because the Korean film industry is growing up quickly and I am working in one of the best camera teams, and my directors were starting to prepare their first features. That being said, going to the U.S. could be missing all of that; careers, networks, and business chances. I agreed with all of those concerns and there was no reason to beat them.

However, often we choose something without knowing exactly why. Maybe I will find out the reason later. I always try to escape from my safety zone, challenges make me fun. I’ve grown the most when I’ve been outside of my comfort zone; the gap year for film school, my application for the DMZ Recon in the military, Himalaya backpacking, and being a father of two….

So far, I am really satisfied with studying and living in L.A. I met so many good friends and I faced many biases & prejudice in my mind. I am expanding my horizons.

I am gonna graduate this summer, and try to stay here and work more!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hmm… I am not a big fan of noisy and crowded places. In a noisy place, I have some ringing in my ears, it’s difficult to concentrate on something. I like to go to places where I can enjoy quiet and silence. The Brand Library in Burbank is small but has many art books. And there are many gardens nearby that are good for walking. I also often go to the Huntington Library and the botanical garden.
(Every good trip requires time to be alone!)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As a filmmaker, I do believe that I am nothing without any other people’s support + nature. Especially, I really appreciate the people & organizations who are trying to protect our the Blue Marble. I used to say to my directors that there are five things that always make the film better; water, wind, fire, dust, and light. All of them stem from nature and are hard to control it. Usually, those things are happened accidentally and bring magic to the frame. The vast majority of films deal with our lives and emotions. And we live standing with our feet on the Earth. Our life, emotions, and stories are not irrelevant to nature. Hope more realistic and good eco-friendly places and technologies will come out.

Website: shihyoungjeon.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shihyoung_setlife

Other: shihyoungjeon@gmail.com

Image Credits
Qijun Liu Daniel Miramontes